In Spain, there are more than 7,000 bilingual schools and over one million students learning in English. However, over 300,000 students with special educational needs (SEN) still face barriers to accessing this bilingual education. This gap highlights the urgent need to adapt educational methodologies and resources, ensuring all students have equal opportunities to learn.
While bilingual education has gained ground as a global priority, teachers in inclusive classrooms continue to face a dual challenge: integrating students with SEN and teaching them in English.
That’s why at Infinite Spur, we created English For Us, a methodology specifically developed to teach English to people with special educational needs. Our strategies, tools, and resources are designed to offer real and direct support to students, teachers, and families. This approach does not arise by chance but comes from a thorough analysis of teachers' needs, the educational environment in which they work, and the integration of inclusive linguistic strategies that we have successfully applied in other contexts.
In January, in collaboration with the Bilingual Teaching Association in Spain, we held a webinar where we shared our methodology for designing accessible materials with teachers from different countries. The session was a success, and we received significant interest from the participants.
Teachers left us a survey outlining their main concerns and challenges in the bilingual classroom, ranging from creating an inclusive environment to the lack of adequate resources. In this blog, we want to share these points and show how English For Us provides solutions to this situation.
1. Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Fostering Active Participation from All Students
One of the main challenges expressed by teachers in the survey was the need to create an inclusive classroom where all students, regardless of their abilities, feel supported and can actively participate in the learning process. 65.2% of teachers agreed that inclusion means creating an environment where students with SEN feel involved.
To mitigate this need, English For Us has developed specific strategies to create inclusive classrooms based on analyzing how students with diverse needs interact with materials and the learning environment. By designing materials adapted to Easy Reading and Universal Design for Learning and using accessible technology, English For Us ensures that each student has the tools needed to participate fully, providing individualized attention within a collective classroom.
2. Personalizing Teaching: Strategies Tailored to Individual Needs
The survey also revealed that many teachers are particularly concerned about the need to adapt their teaching to the diverse abilities of their students. 39.1% of teachers indicated that their main goal is to incorporate tools that make learning more accessible for students with SEN.
Personalizing teaching is key in English For Us. Our creation of adaptable and flexible courses directly addresses this challenge. We use gamification tools, interactive platforms, and personalized activities that allow each student to progress at their own pace while teachers adjust their methods based on individual capabilities. This strategy is not improvised but the result of a detailed study of classroom reality, designed and tested in multiple schools to guarantee accessible and effective learning.
3. Managing a Diverse Classroom: Balancing with SPOC and Personalized Virtual Classes
A constant challenge for teachers is balancing the needs of students with and without SEN in the classroom. 47.8% of respondents highlighted this as one of the biggest challenges they face.
To address this, English For Us has implemented SPOC (Small Private Online Courses) and personalized virtual classes. These courses allow for flexible management tailored to each group’s needs. SPOC gives teachers the ability to create virtual spaces where students can learn at their own pace while interacting collaboratively with other educational centers. This approach ensures balance in the classroom without compromising the quality of learning for any student.
4. The Need for Adequate Resources: Accessible Materials for Everyone
The lack of adequate resources was another critical point raised by teachers in the survey. 21% of teachers pointed out the difficulty in finding or creating appropriate materials for inclusive teaching.
English For Us has created a library of accessible materials specifically designed for students with intellectual disabilities and special educational needs. These materials include visual presentations, interactive activities, and texts adapted to ULD and Easy-To-Read, ensuring that all students, regardless of their comprehension level, can access content and participate actively. This solution arises from a thorough analysis of the needs of both students and teachers, ensuring that the materials are both accessible and effective.
5. Confidence to Implement New Strategies: Continuous Training and Ongoing Support
Many teachers expressed the need for more training and resources to feel fully confident when implementing new strategies. 52.2% indicated that they feel "somewhat confident" in applying what they’ve learned, suggesting they need additional support to feel completely prepared.
English For Us not only offers practical tools but also provides continuous training and ongoing support for teachers. Through webinars, workshops, and access to a support community, teachers can continue developing their skills and feel more confident applying inclusive strategies in their classrooms. This ongoing training directly addresses the need for support and guidance expressed by teachers, ensuring the effective implementation of new strategies.
In Summary: Solutions Driven by Teachers’ Real Needs
The solutions that English For Us offers to the challenges identified in the survey are not spontaneous responses but have been designed after a thorough study of teachers’ real needs and the educational environment. From personalizing teaching to creating accessible materials and implementing SPOC, our strategies are based on the concerns and realities of the inclusive classroom, providing tools that truly address teachers’ pain points.
English For Us not only responds to the challenges of inclusive teaching but also adapts constantly to the changing needs of both teachers and students, ensuring quality education for all.
Don’t miss the opportunity to dive deeper into these topics!
Join us on April 6th for an exclusive webinar, where we’ll explore in more detail how English For Us can help you transform your inclusive approach to teaching English. Discover practical tools, personalized strategies, and innovative solutions to make your classroom a more inclusive space.
Reserve your spot now and take your teaching to the next level!
留言